A Green Roof for Gowanus Whole Foods?

We've had our share of fun with the Gowanus Whole Foods, especially when dwelling on the irony of the environmental condition of the site on which the store will rise. But, how about a green roof for it? Seriously. It's a great idea and there's a new Green Roof Whole Foods Market blog pushing the proposal. It is a much more compelling idea than the retailer's plan to put parking on the roof (in addition to a 480-car parking garage on the site). The green roof would save energy, be good for birds and butterflies and help reduce the flow of garbage from storm sewers into the canal. (Blacktop is a major contributor to increasing storm runoff and hence a major source of pollution in the Gowanus.) Green also fits with visions of Gowanus' future. The Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation emphasizes green industry and environmentally-friendly buildings. Marni Horwitz and Madalyn Warren, who have developed the proposal, write that "with the support of the immediate communites effected by Whole Foods Markets and the greater Brooklyn area, Whole Foods will be receptive to Brooklyn's specific environmental concerns and to green roof design." Here's hoping they're right.